Resistance device for improving swing and stabilizing leg position

ABSTRACT

A resistance device for stabilizing a person&#39;s leg position relative to the ground includes an anchor configured for affixing to a stationary object, a first tether segment, a second tether segment, a first fastener configured for securing adjacent an upper portion of a person&#39;s leg, and a second fastener configured for securing adjacent a lower portion of the person&#39;s leg. The first tether segment extends between the anchor and the first fastener, and the second tether segment extends between the anchor and the second fastener.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to resistance devices for stabilizing aperson's leg position relative to the ground. According to someembodiments, this device may be used to improve the person's swing orsimulate other activities in which the person's leg should remain in asimilar position relative to the ground.

BACKGROUND

Proper stabilization and driving force, particularly in the legs, isimportant to swinging a baseball bat or golf club in sports such asbaseball, softball, and golf, and in other sports. In particular it isbelieved that a swing can be more powerful and efficient by keeping theplayer's weight on the back foot and hitting off the back foot. Manyplayers have issues with keeping weight on the back foot, particularlyyounger players. Often, these players will move their feet and legsthroughout the swing which affects the player's balance and producesless than desirable results.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a resistance deviceconfigured for improving the stabilization of a person's leg positionduring swinging and other activities.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for substantially preventing aperson from raising a foot from a person's first leg from the ground. Insome embodiments, the devices and methods can be used to maintain theweight of the person on a back foot when swinging. In particular,according to various embodiments, a resistance device is provided thatincludes an anchor configured for affixing to a stationary object, afirst fastener configured for securing adjacent an upper portion of aleg of a person, a first tether segment extending between the firstfastener and the anchor, a second fastener configured for securingadjacent a lower portion of the leg of the person, and a second tethersegment extending between the second fastener and the anchor. Accordingto various embodiments, the stationary object includes the ground, apole, a door knob, or an eye hook, for example.

In one embodiment, the anchor includes a coiled stake that is configuredfor screwing into the ground, and in another embodiment, the anchorincludes a stake portion that is configured for being pushed into theground. The anchor, according to these and other embodiments, may bemade of metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. In addition, accordingto some embodiments, the anchor includes a ring, and at least one of thefirst tether segment and the second tether segment are secured to theanchor through the ring. In certain embodiments, both the first tethersegment and the second tether segment are secured to the anchor throughthe ring, and in a particular embodiment, the first tether segment andthe second tether segment are each part of the same tether.

According to other embodiments, the stationary object may be a pole,door knob, or eye hook, and the anchor is a strap, which, according tosome embodiments, may be made of fabric, plastic, or combinationthereof, and is configured for securing to the stationary object.

According to certain embodiments, the first and second fasteners arestraps. In one embodiment, each of the first and second fastenersinclude a hook fastening field and a loop fastening field for securingeach of the first and second fasteners adjacent the leg of the person.According to an alternative embodiment, each of the first fastener andthe second fastener includes a buckle for securing each of the first andsecond fasteners adjacent the leg of the person.

According to some embodiments, the first tether segment terminates in afirst loop and the second tether segment terminates in a second loop,and the first fastener and the second fastener are secured to the firsttether segment and the second tether segment, respectively, through thefirst loop and the second loop. In addition, according to variousembodiments, the tether is coated with a polymeric material. And, insome embodiments, the first tether segment and the second tether segmentare extension straps.

According to some embodiments, the device further includes a sleeve thatextends between a portion of the first and second tether segmentsadjacent the anchor and is configured to restrict a distance throughwhich the portions of the first and second tether segments may be movedrelative to each other.

According to one embodiment in which the anchor includes a coiled stake,the step of affixing the anchor to the stationary object includesscrewing the coiled stake into the ground. In another embodiment inwhich the anchor includes a stake portion configured for being pushedinto the ground, the step of affixing the anchor to the stationaryobject includes pushing the stake portion into the ground.

According to various embodiments, a method of substantially preventing aperson from raising a foot from a person's first leg from the ground isprovided. The method includes: (1) providing at least one resistancedevice, the at least one resistance device including an anchor, a firstfastener, a first tether segment extending between the first fastenerand the anchor, a second fastener, and a second tether segment extendingbetween the second fastener and the anchor; (2) affixing the anchor to astationary object; (3) securing the first fastener adjacent an upperportion of a first leg of the person; and (4) securing the secondfastener adjacent a lower portion of the first leg of the person.

In one embodiment, the method can be a method of improving the swing ofa person playing a sport, the person when swinging standing such thatthe first leg is a back leg and the second leg is a front leg, whereinthe method comprises securing the first fastener adjacent an upperportion of the back leg of the person and securing the second fasteneradjacent a lower portion of the back leg of the person. Typically, ifthe person is swinging left handed, then the back leg is the left leg ofthe person, and if the person is swinging right handed, then the backleg is the right leg of the person. The method further includes havingthe person swing while the first fastener and the second fastener aresecured adjacent the back leg.

In one embodiment, such as when simulating skiing, the step of providingat least one resistance device includes providing a first resistancedevice and a second resistance device. Affixing the anchor to astationary object can include affixing an anchor from the firstresistance device to a stationary object and affixing an anchor from thesecond resistance device to a stationary object. Securing the firstfastener can include securing the first fastener of the first resistancedevice adjacent the upper portion of the first leg of the person andsecuring the first fastener of the second resistance device adjacent theupper portion of the second leg of the person. In addition, the methodcan include securing the second fastener of the first resistance deviceadjacent the lower portion of the first leg of the person and securingthe second fastener of the second resistance device to a lower portionof the second leg of the person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a resistance device accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the resistance device shown inFIG. 1 secured to a person's back leg.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of two resistance devices, such asthe device shown in FIG. 1, secured to each of a person's legs.

FIG. 4 illustrates an anchor according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an anchor according to another alternativeembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fastener according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for substantially preventing aperson from raising a foot from a person's first leg from the ground. Insome embodiments, the devices and methods are used for maintaining theweight of the person on the person's back foot when swinging.

The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed aslimiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed towardall novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosedembodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations withone another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are notlimited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor dothe disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one ormore specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are describedin a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it shouldbe understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement,unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forthbelow. For example, operations described sequentially may in some casesbe rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake ofsimplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in whichthe disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus can be used in conjunctionwith other systems, methods, and apparatus.

The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is usedsynonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and areopen, non-limiting terms.

Exemplary Embodiments for Resistance Devices

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a resistancedevice 100. In particular, the resistance device 100 includes an anchor102, a first tether segment 104, a second tether segment 106, a firstfastener 108, and a second fastener 110. The first fastener 108 isconfigured for securing adjacent an upper portion of a person's leg, andthe second fastener 110 is configured for securing adjacent a lowerportion of the person's leg, as shown in FIG. 2.

Anchor

The anchor 102 can include a coiled stake portion 112 that is configuredfor screwing into the ground and a ring 114 disposed above the coiledstake portion 112. The first tether segment 104 and the second tethersegment 106 extend between the ring 114 and the first and secondfasteners 108, 110, respectively. Although a ring 114 is illustrated inFIG. 1, a closed loop or substantially closed loop can be provided aspart of the anchor 102 for attachment of the tether segments 104 and106.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the anchor 202comprises a tapered lower portion 212, a cap portion 213 above thetapered portion 212, and ring 214 below the cap portion 213 to which thefirst and second tether portions may be secured. The tapered portion 212can be pushed into the ground by applying force to the cap portion 202or otherwise. The anchor 102 may be made of metal (e.g., aluminum,steel, zinc, or other suitable metal), fabric, plastic, or a combinationof both. According to yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, theanchor 302 comprises a strap such as a fabric strap or a plastic bandthat can be secured to a pole 12 (or other stationary object such as adoor knob, which is not shown). The strap 302 may be made of fabric,plastic, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, the anchorcomprises fabric and plastic.

First and Second Tether Segments

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first and second tethersegments 104, 106 are part of the same tether cable, and the middleportion 120 of the tether loops through the ring 114 to secure the firstand second tether segments 104, 106 relative to the anchor 102. Thefirst tether segment 104 comprises an end 116 that defines a loop 122through which the first fastener 108 can be thread, and the secondtether segment 106 comprises an end 118 that defines a loop 124 throughwhich the second fastener 110 can be thread. According to variousembodiments, the tether segments 104, 106 may be a solid or wovenmaterial, and at least a portion of the segments 104, 106 may be coatedwith a polymeric material.

According to various alternative embodiments (not shown), the first andsecond tether segments are separate cables. In one such embodiment, eachof the first and second tether segments have a first end that is securedto the anchor and a second end opposite the first end that is secured tothe first and second fasteners, respectively. In another embodiment (notshown), a portion of the first or second tether segment engages the ring114 of the anchor 102, but the other tether segment does not.

According to various alternative embodiments (not shown), the first andsecond tether segments can be extension straps.

In some embodiments, the first tether segment and the second tethersegment are each part of the same tether. For example, the first tethersegment can be a first cable segment and the second tether segment canbe a second cable segment, and the first cable segment and second cablesegment can be parts of the same cable.

First and Second Fasteners

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first and secondfasteners 108, 110 are elongated straps, such as fabric or plasticstraps, that include a first end 130, a second end 132 opposite thefirst end 130, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the firstsurface. In some embodiments, the first end 130 comprises a field ofhooks (or loop material) 134 on the first surface of the strap, and thesecond end 132 comprises a field of loop material (or hooks) 136 on thesecond surface to receive and engage the field of hooks 134 when thesecond surface of the strap is secured around the person's leg, as shownin FIG. 2. For example, the first end 130 and second end 132 can beformed of VELCRO®. When the first and second fasteners 108, 110, aresecured around the person's leg, the loops 122, 124 of the first andsecond tether segments 104, 106, respectively, are secured adjacent theperson's leg.

According to other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,each of the first and second fasteners comprise a buckle 512 at a firstend 510 of the fastener, and a second end 514 of the fastener isconfigured for looping through the buckle 512 to secure the fasteneradjacent the person's leg.

In other embodiments (not shown), the first fastener can be sewn orotherwise fastened to the first tether segment, and the second fastenercan be sewn or otherwise fastened to the second tether segment.

Sleeve

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 can further include asleeve 150 that extends between a portion of the first and second tethersegments 104, 106 adjacent the middle portion 120. The sleeve 150 isconfigured to restrict a distance through which the portions of thefirst and second tether segments 104, 106 may be moved relative to eachother. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve is a fabric sleevethat substantially wraps around the first and second tether segments104, 106. According to other embodiments, however, the sleeve may bemetal or plastic, or a combination of metal, plastic, and/or fabric.

Exemplary Uses of the Resistance Device

According to various embodiments, a resistance device, such as theresistance device 100 described above in relation to FIG. 1, can be usedto improve the swing of a person playing a sport, such as baseball,softball, or golf. When swinging, the person typically stands such thatone leg is a front leg and one leg is a back leg. If the person isswinging left handed, then the back leg is the left leg of the person,and if the person is swinging right handed, then the back leg is theright leg of the person.

The coiled portion 112 of the anchor 102 is screwed into the ground tosecure the anchor 102 into a stationary position. The first fastener 108is thread through the end loop 122 of the first tether segment 104 andsecured adjacent an upper portion of the person's back leg, and thesecond fastener 110 is thread through the end loop 124 of the secondtether segment 106 and secured adjacent a lower portion of the person'sback leg. The person then moves (e.g., walks) in a direction away fromthe anchor 102 until the first and second tether segments 104, 106 arerelatively taut and practice his or her swing. Alternatively, the anchor102 can be placed at a distance away from the person such that it istaut before being secured in a stationary position. The device 100prevents the person from raising his or her back leg during the swingmotion. In other embodiments, the first fastener 108 may be securedadjacent the lower portion of the person's leg, and the second fastener110 may be secured adjacent the upper portion of the person's leg.

The resistance device 100 may also be used to substantially prevent aperson from raising at least one of the person's feet from the ground.For example, the resistance device 100 can be used to train a person toswing by maintaining his or her weight on a back foot, such as forsports such as baseball, softball, or golf. Alternatively, at least tworesistance devices 100 can be used to train a person to ski bysimulating downhill skiing, such as shown in the embodiment shown inFIG. 3. In particular, according to the embodiment shown, two resistancedevices 100 a, 100 b are provided, and the anchors 102 a, 102 b,respectively, are screwed into the ground uphill from the person. Thefirst fasteners 108 a, 108 b, respectively, are secured adjacent theupper portion of each leg of the person, and the second fasteners 110 a,110 b, respectively, are secured adjacent the lower portion of each legof the person. The person can then lean forward in the manner the personwould lean downhill to ski with the resistance devices 100 a, 100 bholding the person in place on the hill.

1. A resistance device, comprising: an anchor configured for affixingthe device to the ground; a first fastener configured for securingadjacent an upper portion of a leg of a person; a first tether segmentextending between the first fastener and the anchor; a second fastenerconfigured for securing adjacent a lower portion of the leg of theperson; and a second tether segment extending between the secondfastener and the anchor.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst and second fasteners are straps.
 3. The device according to claim1, wherein each of the first and second fasteners comprise a hookfastening field and a loop fastening field for securing each of thefirst and second fasteners adjacent the leg of the person.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a coiled stake thatis configured for screwing into the ground.
 5. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a ring, and at least one of thefirst tether segment and the second tether segment are secured to theanchor through the ring.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst tether segment and the second tether segment are each part of thesame tether.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the firsttether segment and the second tether segment are extension straps. 8.The device according to claim 1, wherein the first tether segmentterminates in a first loop and the second tether segment terminates in asecond loop, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener aresecured to the first tether segment and the second tether segment,respectively, through the first loop and the second loop.
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve, the sleeve extendingbetween a portion of the first and second tether segments adjacent theanchor and being configured to restrict a distance through which theportions of the first and second tether segments may be moved relativeto each other. 10-20. (canceled)
 21. A resistance device, comprising: ananchor configured for affixing to a stationary object; a first fastenerconfigured for securing adjacent an upper portion of a leg of a person;a first tether segment extending between the first fastener and theanchor; a second fastener configured for securing adjacent a lowerportion of the leg of the person; a second tether segment extendingbetween the second fastener and the anchor; and a sleeve, the sleeveextending between a portion of the first and second tether segmentsadjacent the anchor and being configured to restrict a distance throughwhich the portions of the first and second tether segments may be movedrelative to each other.
 22. A method of substantially preventing aperson from raising a foot from a person's first leg from the ground,the method comprising: providing at least one resistance device, theresistance device comprising an anchor, a first fastener, and a firsttether extending between the anchor and the first fastener; affixing theanchor to the ground; and securing the first fastener adjacent an lowerportion of a first leg of the person.
 23. The method according to claim22, wherein the person is swinging and the first leg is the back leg ofthe person.
 24. The method according to claim 23, further comprisinghaving the person swing while the first fastener is secured adjacent thefirst leg.
 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the anchorcomprises a coiled stake and affixing the anchor to the ground comprisesscrewing the coiled stake into the ground.
 26. The method according toclaim 25, wherein the anchor comprises a stake portion and affixing theanchor to the stationary object comprises pushing the stake portion intothe ground.
 27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the anchorincludes a ring and the first tether segment is secured to the anchorthrough the ring.
 28. The method according to claim 22, wherein thefirst tether segment is an extension strap.
 29. The method according toclaim 22, wherein the first tether segment terminates in a first loop,wherein the first fastener is connected to the first tether segmentthrough the first loop.
 30. The method according to claim 22, whereinthe first fastener includes a hook and loop fastening portion, whereinthe first fastener is secured around the lower portion of the back legusing the hook and loop fastening portion of the first fastener.